What would you buy?

CramCycle

My rigid was stolen, my replacement (also rigid) isn't great and its time for me to accept that I am no longer the young buck whose shoulders and body can take all those shocks. It is now taking me days to recover from some rides. Finally time to give up the dream and buy something with suspension.

What is the most general all rounder for Irish trails, bare in mind, I like technical and non technical alike, and get a laugh from other MTBers when I turn upto trails on my rigid or BMX. I am technically quite competent, just not fast as you can't be on some routes with a rigid (although I have tried and know how to fall with style and a smile on my face).

What would your one bike type to get you around everything?

(Note I got a bonus from work which has inspired this line of thought)

3102derek

Whats your budget, as this will impact your choices.

And do you want a Full sus or Hardtail?

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119949256#Comment_119949256

I don't know is the answer to both, I am not spending stupid money for the sake of it but I will spend good money if its worth it. This said, I get around most trails on a rigid, slowly, so a really good hardtail is fine as there isn't a huge amount of really unrideable stuff in Ireland and comfort is a bonus, not a necessity.

3102derek

i would recommend a trail bike to be honest.

After a while Hardtails become hard on the bones!! I moved from a HT to the Full Suss. its like a magic carpet ride.

A decent spec Full Sus Trail bike with 150mm up front and 140back is enough to get down all the rough natural stuff around.

It is hard to beat the online only brands for price, so take a look at Canyon.

The spectral starts around 2.5k, a friend has one and its a great machine.

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/spectral/29/

Trek are also good, and you have the bonus of seeing them in the flesh in shops here. Again around the 2.5k mark.

This is really the starting price point for new full sus.

For hardtail you could be looking at around 1.5k for a decent one.

There are a lot of brand, all are good. its hard to get a bad bike at this price point.

Just avoid halfords what ever you do...

Some good deals in the second hand market too.... Have a look on MTB buy and sell on Facebook.

CramCycle

Cheers, not a fan of the Facebook MTB pages as it just feels like where all the stolen bikes go for sale. Obviously not true but I never feel confident that I am not picking up stolen grear.

Anyway, as life goes, given with one hand, taken away with the other. Dog just got very sick and has to go to an othamologist which is putting too big a dent in the funds.

This time next year Rodney....

Alkers

Sorry to hear that, keep an eye on Donedeal. I would get something like a vitus mythique, ideally a couple of years old second hand, should be able to get one for about 1200e

CramCycle

Well the dog is still unwell but has avoided surgery, at the same time a Cube Stereo 150 came up, 2021, and I got it for half price having only been ridden about 30 times. May as well have come off the shop floor. Problem solved.

CramCycle

Right, so loving the bike, only issue I am aware of is coming from a slow moving rigid, I've never felt the need for a full face helmet or much of the safety gear.

Do I need one? What else do I need, so far all I have is knee pads and shorts in regards MTB specific gear. Bree hill looks like the fastest I am goign to be going in regards heading downhill, any other gear bar the full face needed?

Also, never realised, fair play to those getting up hills on full sus bikes, I can do almost any hill on a rigid or a CX bike but the full sus just seems to stop dead on the steep bumps so that needs practice. Not that it needs more power, must be my technique, just seem to struggle to keep the wheel down while still forward enough to not fall back.

fatbhoy

Gloves, fullface enduro lid (TLD Stage, e.g.), hydro backpack or hippack, elbowpads, 5-10 sticky-soled shoes, go tubeless and run lower PSIs for more grip.

prunudo

Full face is a no brainer imo, your teeth and face will thank you and a helmet is a lot cheaper than multiple trips to the dentist. Even in trail centre's there is so many rocks, stumps and other solid objects on the side of the trail. Everyone perceives risk differently, but that would be my take on it.

ram82

Get a ff helmet, pads on knees and elbows, defo gloves. I got an O'neal protection top/jacket recently with chest, spine, elbow and shoulder pads. It's surprisingly comfortable and you don't feel wearing it after 5min of ride. It not only protects in case of a fall but it also unblocked something in my head and allowed me to push a bit harder, go faster, try stuff that I would be afraid of if I didn't have it

CramCycle

Excellent, have most of that already. FF is on the way. Can't afford body armour at the minute but will put it on the list.

DaveyDave

Unrelated but it's nice to see full face helmets being recommended. I wore one 10 years ago and they weren't common outside of big downhill stuff, some MTB forums didn't have the kindest opinions for people wearing them on basic trails but it's very easy to get hurt in mountain biking.

Looks like there's a lot of choice these days, lightweight and lots of vents.

Gerry

Very nice. I remember taking a test on a carbon cube stereo 160 years ago at a demo day in Carrick. was a 27.5 and by far the nicest bike I tested.

anyway yep full face lid for sure. I got a fox pro frame and very happy with it. not noticeable once its on, very light and well ventilated.

You will get the odd look as people might wonder if you intend on sending 60 foot gaps but its becoming more normal.

CramCycle

My son in law whose been off the bike for a few years said the same thing, who cares what it looks like, better than how you'll look with no teeth and wrapped up, drinking through a straw for a few months.

Tenzor07

Might start wearing a full face MTB helmet on the commute to work/shops, so dangerous, better to be protected..

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120186476#Comment_120186476

If it makes you feel good, fire away. I imagine that the injury risks and relative rates of injury here are different but I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time.

DaveyDave

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120186476#Comment_120186476

Considering a judge took 20% off a woman's injury claim for not wearing a helmet, it's not as much of a joke as you'd think. (She got a concussion, which helmets don't prevent against)

Tenzor07

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120189570#Comment_120189570

Full face for commuting is definetly overkill, half shell is 100% fine unless you have a medical condition...

For scooting around the Coillte trails in Ticknock etc. FF is something i'd never consider.. half shell MTB helmet is perfect...

DaveyDave

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120189582#Comment_120189582

Of course a full face is overkill for commuting, I don't think anyone would ever actually consider that. I was making a joke on top of your joke since apparently now if you're hit by a truck you'll need to be wrapped in bubble wrap just to get a full claim...

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120189582#Comment_120189582

Neither would I, have used my road hat around there most of the time, I am planning on going faster on more technical downhills though. Most Coillte trails, Ballinatoe you can get around on a CX bike without issue, I happily got around there on a BMX on one occasion.

Tenzor07

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120190547#Comment_120190547

Most Coillte trails are basically "narrow fireroad" trails, CX bike is useable, if you've seen any of Enduro Racer Greg Callaghan's video's of him on both Coillte and natural trails on his gravel bike...

Getting back to the subject in question, a modern hardtail with a 130mm fork is fine for the majority of Irish trails, even places like "The Gap" unless you plan on trying to keep up with Greg Callaghan or fancy yourself as the next Ronan Dunne maybe then go for a 150/170mm enduro bike and full face/body armour, everywhere else is the equivalent of installing a cage and harness in your car to drive to the shops...

fatbhoy

:facepalm:

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120190889#Comment_120190889

So I shouldn't wear a seatbelt because I'm a good driver is what you are saying ?

All joking aside, a road helmet was fine for the stuff I was doing which was neither fast nor difficult, it won't be for what I plan to be doing which will probably lead to my first broken bone in 40years. Which will be this sort of stuff: https://m.facebook.com/OnYourRothar/videos/idms-down-hill-race-at-breeroad-gapdh-mtb-idms-irish-downhill-mountainbike-serie/1204357299742106/&ved=2ahUKEwiu7qyk_Pn8AhWQWcAKHS-rAnYQwqsBegQIDhAF&usg=AOvVaw351Zowbwqsi5-4Nyfl2P-E

prunudo

Good stuff, wish I was brave enough to try gaps even half that size. Jumping in general is something I'm pretty **** at.

fatbhoy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120197693#Comment_120197693

That's in Carrick, isn't it? That's a lot more intimidating when you're there in person than it looks on that video. And the run-in is tricky. Landing is the good thing about it though.

Tenzor07

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120197693#Comment_120197693

If you plan to throw yourself down the side of a hill for a DH race, then like doing a trackday at Mondello you have to wear a full face helmet...

But for the vast majority of users on the Coillte trails and natural ones too, a good half shell helmet is perfect, a full face is overkill...

prunudo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120198170#Comment_120198170

You don't want to wear a full face, we get it. But many people do wear them and that its their perogative. You shouldn't be trying to put people off wearing safety gear by belittling the risk. Personally wouldn't be without the full face whether its a lap of Ballinastoe or doing trails in Djouce, but as I say each to their own.

Tenzor07

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120198298#Comment_120198298

Where exactly did I expressly say "Don't wear safety gear".... like you I merely expressed my opinion that for the majority of users on Coillte trails a full face helmet is overkill... I never once said "don't wear safety gear, so you just made that up...

Like I stated above, a good half shell MTB helmet is perfectly fine, not to mention the fact that you can hear better in case of other trail users coming up behind you etc...

prunudo

You're implying a full face is overkill and people don't need them. The Coillte trails in Ballinastoe are no longer 'narrow fireroads', they are full of features, rocks and stumps. Yes you can wear a half shell, but wearing a full face isn't a bad idea all things considered.

Anyway, thats my opinion, you have yours, main thing is to enjoy the ride.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120198170#Comment_120198170

But we were talking about me specifically, if I wasn't going to do interesting things I'm not used to, I could have just stuck with my CX bike or my rigid bike.

DaveyDave

Plenty of experienced riders refuse to ride without knee and elbow pads because they're tired of getting banged up. It might not be necessary for most trails but you wouldn't say it's overkill? Same with gloves, plenty of people ride without them but wouldn't say they're unnecessary. It's personal preference and road rash sucks. A full face isn't any different.

If I can do something to mitigate injury without a big fuss/effort like simply picking a different helmet it's a no brainer. It's not like people are going out of their way or doing something bizarre, if someone wants to wear an extra layer of protection to be more comfortable and confident then by all means.

Tenzor07

Wear all the body armour and full face helmets you like if it makes you feel better on your cycle...

ednwireland

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120198170#Comment_120198170

Funny I was on some coillte trails. Having come off bruised thumb was it, had gloves, knee pads, elbow pads (first time for knee and elbow pads).

Although chatting to a guy with body armour and full face helmet said "need to go to work on Monday morning". So I wouldn't knock anyone wanting to wear a full face and protection and as I get older I think I don't heal as quick as I used to !

Think I may get a full face !

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120209094#Comment_120209094

Theres a guy I used to race on the road. Loved it, was a decent rider in his youth and certainly had the potential to win a few A4 and A3 races but he would always sit up about 1km from the end and drift out the back. He said the same thing, his job doesn't pay if he doesn't show up.

Anyway, I hadn't really wanted this to go down helmet thread territory, each to their own.

Back to more impotrant questions, now that i have one of these dual suspension bikes, what type of maintainence do I have to regularly do above the normal I would have done for my rigid? Anything I have to watch out for that a new person to suspension should keep in mind.

Idleater

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120210167#Comment_120210167

::what type of maintainence do I have to regularly do

If you do your own servicing, getting familiar with stripping it down and rebuilding. I replaced the entire set of bearings on all the pivots. Presumably you want to get the shock and fork serviced by a specialist.

Week to week, checking all the bolts are tightened, as everything is designed to move (in contrast to the hardtail/road bike)

ednwireland

Haven't got to the pivot bearings on mine, but need to do them. But it's ten bearings bought a kit of them from kinetic bike bearings. I guess one day I will have to learn how to rebuild the shocks. Got a bleed kit for brakes. But never had to bleed any not even my ancient hydraulic rim brakes.

Gears is usual fettling that's about it.

Hydraulic dropper posts seem to need some work.

DaveyDave

At the very least the lower fork maintenance should be doable for anyone who's handy with a bit of DIY bike maintenance. Fresh seals and oil looks easy enough.

Just looking now there's zero service partners listed for Marzocchi/Fox in Ireland. Years ago I was looking out of curiosity, there was one place in a completely random shop somewhere like Crumlin, Dublin I believe and it was a few hundred euro for a service on a fork.

It would be a pain to have to ship a 2kg+ fork internationally for a service every year.

Idleater

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120213485#Comment_120213485

I saw some guy in Wicklow/Wexford runs a service centre and lists Fox anyway.

When I was collecting my frame before Christmas "we" reseated all the bearings in search of a tiny play in the rear axle. Ten minutes had 6 bearings out and back into the frame. Guaranteed I won't be able to do it that quickly myself.

fatbhoy

You might want to learn how to bleed your brakes. Check for YouTube videos showing how to do your particular brakes. You'll need a couple of syringes, some plastic tubing, some kind of connector for the tubing to go to the calliper/lever bleed port, and some fluid (mineral oil or dot 5.x).

Shock: you'll probably want to drop that into somewhere like RH Suspension, Bike Rack, Expert for full rebuild after about 200/300 hours (1 or 2 years). You're supposed to do a mini-service after 50 hours (air sleeve oil change and seals), but you'll get away with not doing that and just doing the full one, which would include the mini one. The full one is tricky to do because you might need specialist equipment to do the nitrogen, and even to take off the air sleeve (Fox X2, for example). So you're best off getting that done somewhere instead of doing it yourself. Costs 120 - 160 (RH Suspension is probably the best, but the most expensive).

Fork: full (uppers and lowers) 200 hours. You're supposed to do the lower leg service every 50 hours. That's taking off the lower legs, cleaning it out and changing the oil in each side (each leg: rebound damper side and air spring side), and changing the foam rings (foam seals at the top of the legs), and maybe the dust wiper seals. You'll need the oil (Fox needs the two types of oil usually, one for each leg), SRAM butter grease or the equivalent for the dust wipers, foam rings, crush washers (although you can reuse the ones on it usually), and maybe the dust wiper seals, but you can probably do 2 or 3 lower legs before you need to replace those. So just do the minimum oil/foam-ring change a few times, then do the full one (yourself or have the shop do it). Full includes loads of seals in the uppers as well as a bit of oil there too.

Loads of YouTubes on shock and fork services.

Tenzor07

I'd say half or more of a bike shops business is to fix the MTB of "YouTube mechanics"....

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120218875#Comment_120218875

I'm a dab hand at bike servicing, the only thing of concern would be the shocks as its something I have never worked on but if a full service in a shop is a couple of hundred euro, I will teach myself and replace if I f*ck it up

Gerry

Ive done full uppers and lowers on rockshox however fox are trickier. Bearings Im comfortable with and should be doable for a competent mechanic. will be dropping both the fox fork and rockshox shock to expert, I've not gotten around to them and they are well past due.

Have a read of the service manuals and see what you think.. if you have the tools go for it.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120246363#Comment_120246363

Just working through the manuals. Both are RockShox. So far, I'm quietly confident I'll save the price of replacement by self servicing based on the instructions. Even if I fail, it's actually more cost effective.

I say this as someone who has set a wheel on fire while doing late night work with a beer or two on board

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120198066#Comment_120198066

I thought it was Bree hill actually, was on my phone at the time I looked it up, more here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yLdxiXDtVs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN0npPqC6Nw

fatbhoy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120249130#Comment_120249130

Ah yes, it's Bree. I got mixed up. Hefty gap though.

kirving

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120218875#Comment_120218875

Ah people love to complicate mountain bikes, throw good money after bad at bike shops, and are totally lost when something breaks on a trail.

They're just nuts and bolts at the end of the day - biggest issue for most people is actually finding the right replacement part among a million standards.

I've come off plenty of times on Coiltte trails, have spent waaaaayy too much time and money on my teeth to not wear a full face. Giro Switchblade is expensive but fantastic I have to say.

Tenzor07

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120254102#Comment_120254102

Well, horses for courses, I certainly won't be fluting around with suspension parts, bearings or spoke tensions myself, I would rather trust an actual bike mechanic...

Yes, sounds like the Fullface helmet is ideal for you...

CramCycle

I'll service my self after reading the manuals, the cost of services based on here, I'd be better off buying new every few years. I've a technical enough background and none of it seems difficult, always fun to learn a new skill.

Got up Bree Hill this morning, the local club have done a phenomenal job on the trails up there, must be 30 or 40 different ones. I won't lie, way more difficult than anything I have done up in Wicklow and I bottled it quite a few times so only got a few small jumps in. Need to build the confidence up a bit more.